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Bertha Karber © Fairview Funeral Home 02-2007 Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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Funeral Services for Bertha Karber, 94, will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church. The Reverend Gary Janzen will officiate. Burial will follow in the South Mennonite Brethren Cemetery south of Fairview. Arrangements are by the Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.
Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, February 27th and 28th, 2007 at the Fairview Funeral Home Inc. and before the service at the church.
Bertha Karber was born October 18, 1912, in the home of her parents, John D. and Justena (Cornelson) Karber when they lived in Texas County, 16 miles southeast of Hooker, Oklahoma. Bertha passed away Feb. 23, 2007 at the Fairview Fellowship Home. When Bertha was two, the family moved by covered wagon, and train to Inola, Oklahoma. where they harvested one crop of oats and cotton before moving to Fairview in July of 1915. The family settled on a farm three miles south and one mile east of Fairview where Bertha grew up and continued living until both of her parents passed away. The family experienced the Great Depression. Money was scarce but the children had been taught how to work. They always had what they needed, by growing a larger garden, canning what it produced, and milking cows. They raised their own chicken, turkeys, sheep and sometimes hogs. Much of their clothing was sewn, often using the sacks that the chicken feed came in.
Bertha walked the two miles to Progressive School for her elementary education. She then attended and graduated in 1930 from the Mennonite Brethren Bible School located on the south edge of Fairview. Bertha accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized June 1, 1924, at the age of 12. Bertha was a faithful member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. She taught Sunday school, taught Wednesday night Bible class, sang in the choir and was a member of the Women's Missionary Service. Bertha raised chickens on the farm, and worked in the DeWitt Hatchery in Fairview, for 17 years. There she sold feed and worked with the hatching of chicks and turkeys in the spring. After her parents died, she went to Corn, Oklahoma where she served as the cook for Corn Bible Academy for one year. After moving back to live in Fairview, she worked at different places, including almost 13 years as a housekeeper at Fairview Fellowship home. Bertha bought a home at 7 Legion Drive in Fairview.
A major source of income for Bertha were her farms. Albert and Edwin farmed her land and Bertha enjoyed observing harvest in action. Often they shared a harvest meal out in the field. "Aunt Bertha" often found herself caring for various nieces and nephews as they visited at Grandma Karber's house, or later with Bertha at her apartment or home. She was famous for her stewed apples, and date roll candy she made at Christmas time. In later years, she always had an envelope with money inside for each one who came for the Karber Christmas. For many years, Bertha sent birthday cards to everyone in the family; until the family grew too large. Bertha had a big heart for missions and gave generously as the Lord blessed her. She gave to Back to the Bible Broadcast, Corn Bible Academy, Oklahoma Bible Academy, Tabor College, Chief ministries, Mexican Missions Ministries, and Mennonite Brethren Missions to name just a few. She enjoyed traveling some, and attending the Friday Night Supper club, a group of widows and singles who went out to eat on Friday nights. She was the last surviving member. In 1998, Bertha moved into the Fairview Fellowship Home. Bertha's dry sense of humor and quick wit was enjoyed by relatives, friends, and many of the Fellowship Home employees who cared for her so faithfully.
She is survived by one brother, Edwin Karber and wife Edna, of Fairview, as well as eight nieces and three nephews with their spouses.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John Karber and Albert Karber, one sister, Anna (Karber) Wichert. three nephews, Richard Wichert, Charles Karber, Allen Ray Karber, and three nieces, Marilyn Wichert, Edna Ruth Harbour, and Luella DeFehr.
Memorials can be made to the Fairview Fellowship Home with the funeral home acting as custodian.
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